Finding the perfect dog breed – Michael Rosen

At Hartz, we love getting insight from some of our favorite pet writers/bloggers. This week we are proud to have Michael J. Rosen, the author of My Dog!, tell us about how to find the perfect dog for your family. Make sure to read and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

“When it comes to dogs, some people are drawn the scruffy; some, to the sleek. Some adore the ÛÏuglyÛ mug of, say, a Bulldog or Mastiff; others, the utterly cutesy face of a Papillon or Shih Tzu. Others prefer white coats to dark, or patches to polka-dots. But we should all remember that appearanceåÊdoesn’tåÊshape a dogÛªs character.

So, if not ÛÏlooks,Û what does determine the ideal dog for your family? ThatÛªs a question all of us dog people are frequently asked. SoÛ_ Take a look at this video and see if it can give you a clue!

If your family needs help luring fish into a net for supperÛ_get a Portuguese Water Dog. If you hunt wild boar or black bearÛ_adopt an Akita. If you frequently find yourself buried under several feet of snowÛ_seek out a Saint Bernard. Do your reindeer tend to wander offÛ_you need a Samoyed.

But if you have no need for a dog bred for those tasks, then I suggest any purebred or mixed breed dog that is well trained. Much more than breed or sex or age, the care and time and training a family gives a dog will determine how ÛÏperfectÛ that companion will turn out to be.

So does that mean adopt a dog of any size, age, or energy level? Of course, not. Every family should have what I call ÛÏa pre-pet pow wowÛÛÓitÛªs an all-family-member town meeting. And itÛªs then, not when the kids are standing in front of the adorable shelter dogs that a family should discuss what they have to offer a canine member of their pack. How much time does each member have? How much dog-safe space can you provide? How much would you enjoy exercising a dog? How committed are you to training? Would a dogÛªs shedding, barking, slobber, stubbornness, strength, or other behavior present a significant problem?

The MY DOG!Website has a questionnaire that can help your family begin this conversation of narrowing down the qualities you most seek in a new companion. So beyond identifying specific breeds, your answers can suggest general directions in terms of the age, temperament, size, and energy level of the ÛÏperfect dogÛ for which your family can provide a forever home.

Bringing a new dog into your family will be a great addition to your home. I hope that information provide here will help make the decision of which type of dog to choose easier!”

Michael J. Rosen (www.fidosopher.com) is the author of more than 80 books for kids and adults including the recently published MY DOG! A KidÛªs Guide to Keeping a Happy & Health Pet. For more DIY projects, recipes, training tips, downloadable games, and more, visit the MY DOG! Website.